Here's the Los Angeles Clippers news you have been waiting for on the edge of your seat for — they'll return to Hawai'i for the sixth straight year for the 2026-27 preseason. Oh, that's not what you wanted to know? The team had to announce it anyway, given that they'll travel to Hawai'i in less than a month, so it's kind of important, just not as important as the Kawhi Leonard trade saga.
It's been over two months since the Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks.
Toronto opted to wait until the league concluded its investigation into the cap circumvention allegation, as it didn't want to assume any punishment for something it had nothing to do with. As a result, the trade hasn't gone through yet, which is a bit awkward for the players involved. Should Ingram and Dick prepare to go to Hawai'i with the Clippers, or?
If what ESPN reported earlier this month about the NBA not finding evidence that Steve Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi were true, perhaps the dust would've at least started to settle by now, but the league refuted that report. Nothing like more confusion on top of... confusion!
Kawhi Leonard saga may not be solved by training camp
The Clippers have maintained that they didn't help Leonard circumvent the salary cap, whether through Aspiration, Daktronics, or some other company.
If that proves to be true, Los Angeles' trade with Toronto will go through, but whether it happens in time for training camp is still uncertain. It could drag on, as ESPN reported, and could go into 2027 if the involved parties don't agree on the findings or punishments (if any).
Ramona Shelburne said on ESPN LA a few days ago that the Clippers would be "fine" with having Leonard back if the trade falls through or if the Raptors want to keep waiting it out. How Kawhi feels about that is another question, as he's already been proceeding as if he's back on Toronto's roster.
It's not like he has the power to join the Raptors for training camp if things aren't settled by then. If they aren't, it's hard to believe that he will participate in the Clippers' preseason in Hawai'i (much less make the trip), or that he'd suit up for LA again, period, if it goes into the regular season.
Hopefully, of course, this all will be in the past soon, and the trade will go through, as the draft capital the Raptors were willing to give up (if they don't try to amend the deal) will be nice for the Clippers to have.
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